Kalispell Farmers Market opens Saturday
(Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)
The Kalispell Farmers Market will open Saturday as regularly scheduled; however, the event may lack the familiar social atmosphere to start this season.
Even with COVID-19 limitations, the Kalispell Farmers Market events are set to continue uninterrupted; but organizers also have new rules and procedures in place to protect the safety of both customers and vendors. The farmers market board has been working to implement safe practices.
The market will be held in its normal location at Flathead Valley Community College from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. According to an announcement from Kalispell Farmers Market Board President Cheryl Lowe, in order for vendors to participate in the weekly event they must agree to abide by new guidelines in place.
Different types of merchants will be organized in sections of the market together, with those preparing food onsite in trucks, trailers and tents located in the end lot. This will help maintain social distancing while customers wait for their food, and setting up tables and chairs for dining purposes is currently not allowed.
Additional altered procedures highlighted include instructions for vendors to set up at least 6 feet apart and assemble their booth in a way that promotes social distancing. Merchants may use removable tape to mark off distancing parameters if desired and are encouraged to remind customers to keep a safe distance from each other. The market is also not allowing any food or drink sampling at this time.
Inside the booths, vendors must have a way to sanitize hands, have cleaning supplies available and tablecloths are not allowed due to the need to wipe down surfaces often. Masks are recommended for both shoppers and merchants, but are not required.
As the situation progresses, it is possible at a later date for these practices to change.
“We all crave the notion of returning to life and market as usual, but this will not happen for at least the short-term,” Lowe said in the statement. “Until the situation changes, we will do our best to make it safe for all of us.”